Independent panel members involved in the investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority has provisionally found that the merger may not be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of learning toys for 0-5 year olds.

The investigation found that whilst the companies were close competitors, there are numerous other credible suppliers, and VTech and LeapFrog were not each other’s closest competitor.

K’Nex claims it has maintained the number two position in standard construction during the festive sales period.

Items which have proved successful for the brand in 2016 include Building Tubs and Thrill Rides Electric Inferno. In November, K’Nex says it posted a 24% year-on-year increase in its sales, in addition to a 20% share of voice in TVRs for boys aged 5-9.

Monopoly, the company’s new “Art Provocateur,” was joined by Tag Heuer CEO Jean Claude Biver and select invited insiders including hip hop artist Fat Joe to be the first to lay eyes on the up until now secret project.

Sporting a hat, with his face always hidden behind a bandana to preserve his anonymity, the artist owes his fame to the character who shares his name. Mr. Monopoly, the character banker from the Monopoly game.

Monopoly started his graffiti art in New York before moving to California in 2008. He has since depicted the famous game bank in various situations, in addition to reimagining other pop culture icons like Scrooge McDuck, Richie Rich and gained celeb clients like Seth Rogan, Adrien Brody and Robert De Niro.

]]>news-9432Fri, 09 Dec 2016 10:55:00 +0100WBIE releases new LEGO Dimensions story trailerhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/wbie-releases-new-lego-dimensions-story-trailer/?L=1&cHash=1d81ac6cab6374562e2a5384ace1c612
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) released a new LEGO Dimensions story trailer that shows off the gameplay behind the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them story pack.

In this latest story pack, the cast of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them makes its debut as Lego characters. Players can experience scenes from the film in the video game. The story pack is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Source: The Toy Book Toy Report

]]>news-9431Fri, 09 Dec 2016 10:29:00 +0100Spiffy Pictures names TOMY International as master toy licensee for Nature Cathttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/spiffy-pictures-names-tomy-international-as-master-toy-licensee-for-nature-cat/?L=1&cHash=b71aee1cfcdf603cf294ba49adf3e971
Spiffy Pictures signed a licensing agreement with TOMY International for the PBS Kids series Nature Cat on the heels of a multi-season greenlight. TOMY is now the master toy licensee for categories including plush, figures, play sets, and role-play for mass and specialty retail channels.

The TOMY line will debut with plush at the end of next year, and will join soft goods licensee Komar to bring Nature Cat products to the U.S. The agreements follow the announcement of the second and third season of the series, which will include 35 half-hour episodes and two hour-long specials. New episodes will premiere next fall.

The third collaboration between the companies will see the introduction of Charmander to the collection.

Following in the footsteps of Pikachu and Eevee, the online exclusive Pokémon Charmander set includes a plush Charmander, a Charmander sound chip, Great Ball hoodie, Lucario hoodie and the Build-A-Bear Workshop Charmander Pokémon TCG card.

]]>news-9429Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:15:00 +0100The Light Fund donations greenlight 23 charity projectshttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/the-light-fund-donations-greenlight-23-charity-projects/?L=1&cHash=06860d31ebb68cab9d5d637a344f31b9
Industry charity, The Light Fund, today announced that it has raised over £110,000 in 2016, meaning that 23 different charity projects will be funded with the money raised from this year’s activities.

The industry charity – which hit the overall £1 million fundraising milestone recently – invited all registered charities (helping men, women or children) to propose projects they would like to be considered for funding.

The Light Fund committee recently voted on over 90 submitted projects with the result of 23 projects across the world getting the go ahead.

David Scott, treasurer of The Light Fund and md of Rainbow Productions, said: “After the jubilation of reaching our £1 million milestone, it is wonderful to be able to put this year’s funds to very good use, enabling so many worthwhile charity projects to go ahead next year.

“Thanks to the generosity of those in the licensing industry and affiliated trades, we have had one of our best fundraising years ever in the history of The Light Fund.”

Trevor Jones, chairman of The Light Fund, concluded the meeting with the uplifting message: “The Light Fund’s future is really bright – here’s to the second £million!”

Following the successful launch of subsidiaries in North America and France, Alpha Group has appointed UK industry veteran Mark Hyndman as General Manager to launch its subsidiary in the UK and Ireland.

Jean-Christophe Pean, President of Alpha Group US and Europe, said: “One of the key pillars of our growth strategy is international expansion through the establishment of Alpha subsidiaries in key markets. Having successfully worked for some of the key toy companies in the UK - Hasbro, Zapf, Flair and HTI - Mark brings unparalleled expertise to the role.”

Established in 1993, Alpha Group Co. Ltd has grown into one of China’s largest and most successful animation, entertainment and toy groups. One of its key properties is the global hit animation Super Wings.

Following the overriding success of 2016’s charity objective, The Toy Trust has pledged to Give the Gift of Play to even more children in crisis for 2017.

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the Toy Trust and with it will come even greater impetus to raise funds for children that need it most. The main fundraiser of the year will be the Big Cotswolds Challenge for which Giving the Gift of play will be the sole objective. Hospitals and in particular play-therapy will be the key beneficiaries of the industries tough challenge event.

In 2016 the Toy Trust raised funds for every children’s hospice in the UK in order to Give the Gift of Play by improving play facilities at every centre. This year the funds would once again be spread far and wide so that the benefits can be felt across the entire country.

HTI is opening a brand new, second showroom in Hong Kong dedicated to showcasing the company’s extensive pocket money toys offering. New lines visitors to the showroom will be able to see include Creepsterz and a new collection of Disney Princess licensed lines.

Located at its Kwun Tong office, the new 150m² showroom is in addition to the firm’s existing showroom, which is situated in the Tsim Sha Tsui centre on Mody Road in Hong Kong and predominantly houses HTI’s licensed toys ranges.

The new premises will showcase HTI’s entire pocket money toys portfolio and will provide the company with a domestic space in Hong Kong for FOB and domestic orders. Housed in a brand new building in the Kwun Tong district, the showroom will display HTI’s full array of pocket money toys across 24 own in-house brands, comprising over 600 product lines covering novelty impulse toys, pre-school, girls, boys, outdoor, die-cast vehicles, bubbles, games, music, role-play, dress-up, dolls and wooden toys.

KD UK has announced a new strategic partnership with Educa-Borras, the pre-eminent Spanish manufacturer of games, puzzles and arts & crafts.

The new partnership’s strong launch programme will also include the Chicos brand of role-play, creative play and ride-on toys.

The agreement extends KD UK’s current product offering, with a quality and proven range of best-selling products across multiple categories, whilst providing Educa with an exclusive distribution partner in the UK market.

The new KD UK/Educa partnership will offer retail buyers exceptional business opportunities, as well as strong TV and marketing support across a number of key brands. Core focus ranges for Educa brand will include 3D Sculpture Puzzles, the international best-selling Lynx board game and award-winning Fofuchas, the number one arts and craft range in Spain. The core focus for the Chicos brand will be its licensed and Chicos brand role-play toys.

]]>news-9411Wed, 07 Dec 2016 09:03:00 +0100U.S.: EPA announces first 10 chemicals for review under TSCAhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/us-epa-announces-first-10-chemicals-for-review-under-tsca/?L=1&cHash=8dae4f8edd893a5ce617a96902fd474e
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the first 10 chemicals it will review for potential risks to human health and the environment under the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Initial review by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) indicates that most of the listed chemicals are unlikely to be present in toys.

The first 10 chemicals to be evaluated are:

1,4-dioxane,

1-bromopropane,

asbestos,

carbon tetrachloride,

cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster,

methylene chloride,

N-methylpyrrolidone,

pigment violet 29,

tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene),

trichloroethylene

The chemicals were drawn from EPA’s 2014 TSCA Work Plan, a list of 90 chemicals selected based on their potential for high hazard and exposure, among other considerations.

Once this list of 10 chemicals is published in the Federal Register, it will trigger a statutory deadline to publish the scope of these risk evaluations in the next six months, and to complete risk evaluations for these chemicals within three years, in order to determine whether they present an unreasonable risk to humans and the environment.

Several of these chemicals are already in some stage of EPA review. In fact, three proposed section 6 risk management rules (for methylene chloride, N-methylpyrrolidone and trichloroethylene) are currently at the Office of Management and Budget for approval prior to publication in the Federal Register. EPA will move ahead on these rules which are only for a narrow range of uses. Looking ahead, EPA intends to review more of the reasonably foreseeable uses for these and the other seven chemicals, and has indicated that pigment violet 29 can be found in certain plastics applications. If a chemical is determined to present an unreasonable risk, EPA is required to mitigate that risk within two years.

As previously reported, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (LCSA) was signed into law by the President in June to update the outdated TSCA law. This represented the first meaningful update to the law in 40 years. The new legislation reflects scientific and technological advances and is aiming for a uniform federal policy to regulate chemicals across the country. These 10 chemicals are the first step in that direction. For each risk evaluation EPA completes, TSCA requires the agency to begin another. By the end of 2019, EPA must have at least 20 chemical risk valuations ongoing at any given time.

TIA has been a strong advocate of TSCA reform, and has pledged to work with the EPA as they prioritize chemicals for review. Last week, TIA signed onto a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy from the American Alliance for Innovation (AAI), encouraging the agency to follow Congressional intent when implementing TSCA, and to use sound science and risk-based approaches on all rulemakings.

“We intend to stay closely engaged with EPA as they implement the new law regulating chemicals,” said Ed Desmond, TIA executive vice president of external affairs. “Our goal is to work towards the most effective, least burdensome requirements for toy manufacturers, while continuing to provide safe and fun playthings for children.”

Source: TIA

]]>news-9410Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:59:00 +0100First trailer for Transformers: The Last Knight releasedhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/first-trailer-for-transformers-the-last-knight-released/?L=1&cHash=7b6e30fada2c55a704d7867fad550325
The fifth instalment in the series based on the Takara Tomy/Hasbro toy franchise stars Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Hopkins.

Paramount Pictures has released the first trailer for the fifth installment in the Transformers movie franchise, entitled Transformers: The Last Knight.

]]>news-9406Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:15:00 +0100New structure for active family ownership of the LEGO brandhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/new-structure-for-active-family-ownership-of-the-lego-brand-1/?L=1&cHash=b5e61542006db34bcf88c1e812764bf2
Jørgen Vig Knudstorp to head up LEGO brand entity to increase focus on the long-term brand potential

Based on a strong commitment to continued active family ownership, the Kirk Kristiansen family, owners of the LEGO brand, have decided to establish a new entity, the LEGO Brand Group.

The LEGO brand is built on a simple idea with endless possibilities; an idea that has proven its durability and timelessness, not least demonstrated by the unparalleled growth the LEGO Group has achieved over the past 12 years. With this in mind, the owner family firmly believes that there is still untapped potential in the LEGO brand.

“Our family ownership is deeply rooted in the LEGO Idea, which is about learning and development through play and a unique, creative play system that offers endless possibilities. With our recent growth and globalisation come new and exciting opportunities for the brand, and we establish the LEGO Brand Group to look into these new opportunities,” says Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, fourth generation owner of the LEGO Group.

The LEGO Brand Group will thus facilitate the owner governance of all LEGO brand related activities. This includes activities such as the LEGO Group and LEGO Education, and also how the brand is being expressed by entities such as LEGO Foundation and in LEGOLAND attractions (by Merlin Entertainments Group). Therefore, the purpose of the LEGO Brand Group is also to protect and develop the LEGO brand.

Current CEO of the LEGO Group, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp will chair the new entity in close partnership with deputy chair, Thomas Kirk Kristiansen.

“It has been very exciting to make these preparations for the future – not just for the next generation but also for generations to come. I am very pleased about the partnership between Thomas and Jørgen because I am convinced that their joint efforts and skills support our mission to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow in the best possible way,” says Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, third generation owner of the LEGO Group and Chairman of KIRKBI A/S.

As a consequence of his new role in the LEGO Brand Group, the Board of Directors of LEGO A/S will nominate Jørgen Vig Knudstorp to become Chairman of the Board in May 2017. Niels Jacobsen, present Chairman of the Board of Directors of LEGO A/S, will continue in his role as Deputy Chairman in KIRKBI A/S. Commenting on Jørgen Vig Knudstorp’s new role, he says:

“Over the past 12 years, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp has developed an outstanding knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and challenges for the LEGO Group and the LEGO brand. Now is the right time to use Jørgen’s capacity in a broader role. I look forward to continue working with Jørgen in the future and to continue my work with Kjeld and Thomas Kirk Kristiansen in the KIRKBI A/S Board of Directors”.

Commenting on his new role and the new entity, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp says:

"I really look forward to this new challenge together with Thomas. I have enjoyed being the CEO of this great company, because I have a lifelong passion for the LEGO Idea. The role and the job have changed very much over these years, and this is the natural next step, as I am a firm believer in the value of active family ownership.”

Bali Padda, currently Chief Operations Officer in the LEGO Group, has been appointed to replace Jørgen Vig Knudstorp as CEO, and he will take on his new role as of January 1, 2017. Read separate news here.

]]>news-9403Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:10:00 +0100Bali Padda appointed new CEO of the LEGO Grouphttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/bali-padda-appointed-new-ceo-of-the-lego-group/?L=1&cHash=703dd40c123696b6261002b5c027fe41
The LEGO Group has announced that Bali Padda, current Chief Operations Officer, is appointed CEO of the company as of January 1, 2017

Bali Padda takes over from Jørgen Vig Knudstorp who will head up the new entity LEGO Brand Group.

Bali Padda has been with the LEGO Group for 14 years and is at present heading up Operations while at the same time being overall responsible for people and organisational development. During the past ten years, he has been a member of the LEGO Group’s top management.

Commenting on the appointment of Bali Padda as CEO, Niels Jacobsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the LEGO Group, says:

“Bali Padda has a fantastic track record in the LEGO Group with more than 14 years of experience especially within supply chain functions, but more recently also focusing on people and organisational development. Bali has demonstrated an ability to drive the changes required in operations through the significant growth we have experienced during the past years. I am confident that Bali will continue to develop the company in close cooperation with management.”

“Bali possesses the right LEGO mindset. He has a deep knowledge of our entire company, a very clear sense of what we need to do to take the company to the next level, and he is a true ambassador for the LEGO Idea and the LEGO brand.”

Jørgen Vig Knudstorp is very pleased to hand over the management of the LEGO Group to Bali Padda:

“I have learnt a lot from Bali’s great leadership and execution which he has displayed through all of his career here. I have worked closely with Bali for many years and I am confident that we will continue to build on that close collaboration in our new roles,” says Knudstorp.

Commenting on his new role as CEO, Bali Padda says:

“I am extremely honoured by this opportunity. It is a huge and exciting task, and I look forward to the challenge. I have a strong passion for our product and brand, and I look forward to continuing the strategic direction we have set for the company. With the great collaboration in our management as well as the support from Thomas and Jørgen, I am confident that we can continue the success of the LEGO Group and reach many more children in the future with high-quality play experiences.”

]]>news-9401Tue, 06 Dec 2016 11:22:00 +0100Dubai’s IMG unveils plans for second theme parkhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/dubais-img-unveils-plans-for-second-theme-park/?L=1&cHash=9c5e30a6ba23080d7c2338d8f6df0c5c
The new park will be located opposite IMG Worlds of Adventure

IMG Worlds of Legends will feature nine zones spread across more than two million square feet with global brand licensing from Ubisoft, Mattel, Nickelodeon, Saban Brands, Pokémon, Cartoon Network, Toei Animation and TV Tokyo. It will include interactive roller coasters, rides, water-based attractions and live entertainment in a temperature-controlled environment with a retractable roof.

Key categories including toys, games, apparel and publishing launch at retail from mid-2017

As Entertainment One’s (eOne) preschool superhero property, PJ Masks continues to gather momentum across Europe, the company today announces that it has signed a new free to air broadcast partner, Rai Yoyo, for the show in Italy.

PJ Masks debuted in Italy from January 2016 on Disney Junior and is a top-rated show for the channel. Exposure for PJ Masks will be significantly increased in the country when broadcast is extended to terrestrial channel RAI Yoyo on 7th December 2016, airing four times a day.

Alongside this, eOne is now readying the launch of PJ Masks licensed merchandise and has appointed ETS Italy to manage the brand’s consumer products programme in the region. Leading toy firm Giochi Preziosi will distribute Just Play’s master toy line that includes action figures, play sets, vehicles, plush, dress-up and role-play items from mid-2017. Prior to the toy launch, Italian publisher La Coccinella is on board to publish an extensive line of book formats from spring 2017. In addition, Gedis has been signed for sticker albums and the apparel, games, back-to-school and stationery categories are currently in negotiation and will be announced imminently.

Ami Dieckman, Head of International Licensing for Entertainment One comments “There has been a tremendous response to PJ Masks across Europe and we’re pleased to welcome the brand’s first partners in Italy. With the retail expertise of ETS Italy, the boost in viewership that RAI Yoyo will bring and the strong foundation that these licensees will give the brand in the market, PJ Masks is certainly off to a strong start and 2017 looks set to be an exciting year for the brand!”

The news follows eOne’s recent announcements about consumer products launches poised for the brand in the UK and France in early 2017. The first wave of PJ Masks consumer products debuted in the U.S. from fall 2016 exclusively at Toys “R” Us and initial sales have been exceptionally strong; with several items reported to have become some of the store’s top selling toys.

In a joint statement released by Toy Traders founder Ron O'Donnell and Southern Model Supplies managing director Peter Thompson, it was confirmed the change in Tamiya's distribution arrangements in Australia was negotiated with the Japanese firm's principals and with their agreement.

“Toy Traders has distributed the Tamiya Brand in Australia since 1981 and it is with some sadness that we will be handing over the distribution of this hobby industry world-leading brand to SMS,” Ron O'Donnell told Toy & Hobby Retailer.

“It must be said that we could not have recommended a better or more professional distributor in Australia to handle this iconic range into the future. This decision to pass the distribution rights to Southern Model Supplies is without a doubt in the best interest of Tamiya.

“We wish to thank all our customers for the support for Toy Traders and the Tamiya brand since 1981 and we are confident Tamiya could not be going to a better Australian distributor than SMS."

Source: www.toyhobbyretailer.com.au

]]>news-9386Mon, 05 Dec 2016 13:46:00 +0100Sambro scoops the International Company of the Year Awardhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/sambro-scoops-the-international-company-of-the-year-award/?L=1&cHash=1a3309641d65e5957c886c17318eeafa
By toyworldmag.co.uk

Sambro scooped the International Company of the Year Award for the second year running at the Insider North West International Trade Awards.

Following Sambro’s growth this year, the company has been recognised in the £40m plus turnover category. It’s the second year running that the licensed product manufacturer has been recognised by the organisation.

Judges commended Sambro and its team for its proactive attitude and ambition to grow.

The US Toy Industry Association (TIA) is to induct Peter Eio, former president of LEGO Systems, Inc., the late Ray Larsen, founder of RLA Marketing and the late Sydney Rosen, former owner of Rose-Art, Cra-Z-Art, into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

These individuals were selected for induction by members of TIA in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry and the impact they have had on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. They will join an impressive roster of 71 toy industry luminaries, including Jim Henson and George Lucas, who have been inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984. Their induction ceremony will be held on February 17, 2017 in conjunction with the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards gala in New York City.

]]>news-9374Fri, 02 Dec 2016 12:51:00 +0100Build-A-Bear announces partnership with Segahttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/build-a-bear-announces-partnership-with-sega/?L=1&cHash=0ad38805bcc1451ae947352f5d843807
Customers will be able to create their own Sonic the Hedgehog and friends

By toyworldmag.co.uk

Build-A-Bear Workshop has announced a new licensing partnership with Sega, with the unveiling of a new Sonic the Hedgehog line.

Starting from yesterday, an online exclusive bundle – featuring a 17″ Sonic the Hedgehog furry friend, a plush gold ring wrist accessory and a limited-edition Sonic print – is available from the US website. The online exclusive bundle will launch on 8th December on the UK website.

The full-colour print was designed by Sonic Team in Japan exclusively for Build-A-Bear Workshop; the print and plush gold ring wrist accessory are only available as part of the online exclusive bundle. A Sonic furry-friend tee, a 13″ pre-stuffed Tails and a Sonic 3 Special Stage Background Music digital sound chip are sold separately, and can be added to online exclusive bundle orders.

Starting December 1, 2016, Steffen Höpfner will assume the position of CEO of the Brandstätter Unternehmensstiftung (company foundation) and of Horst Brandstätter Holding GmbH. The 50-year-old will therefore transfer from the advisory committee to the board.

As CEO of the Group, he will be responsible for the core areas strategy/corporate development, HR development and shareholdings. His portfolio also includes corporate communication and representing the board vis-à-vis the foundation’s advisory committee.

With this appointment, the Brandstätter Group is focusing on personnel continuity and for 2017 is effectively strengthening management in terms of the operative implementation of new strategic projects.

The key challenges the Group faces include the growing international business, the development of new and strategic partnerships and the expansion of the international production network and digitalization – above all in the toy industry. “I see a wide range of issues for the Brandstätter Group to tackle in future. In 2017, we are going to seize the opportunity,“ announces Höpfner. And so, in future, the management of the Brandstätter Group will consist of five people. Achim Boymanns, Robert Benker, Rene Feser and Silke Heinrich will continue to be responsible for their usual business segments. And the principle still applies that management will be closely accompanied by the foundation’s advisory committee.

A constant for 20 years

Steffen Höpfner has been associated with the Brandstätter Group for over 20 years and knows the market and the company perfectly. The industrial engineer joined geobra right after his studies and gathered initial professional experience in technology and costing and managed projects in a variety of fields in the company before he transferred to CSC Ploenzke AG in 1999 as a consultant for strategy and process consulting. In 2003, Höpfner returned to geobra and assisted management first in the areas of IT, controlling and project management.

As of 2009, he was the managing director of geobra and of Horst Brandstätter Holding. Upon the death of Horst Brandstätter he transferred to the advisory committee in 2015 and maintained close ties with corporate management. Systematic further development of the business segments and the expansion of corporate activities are a matter of course for the 50-year-old in keeping with the adage of Horst Brandstätter: “standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards”.

Nine Nuremberg bars enter their favourites for the cocktail competition

Enchilada wins with its “Cheesecake Toy Margarita”

On 28th November 2016, Spielwarenmesse eG staged the 13th ToyCocktail Competition as part of the ToyCity Initiative. A jury of four experts had the difficult task of choosing the winner for the next Spielwarenmesse, which is scheduled to run from 1 to 6 February 2017. At the “Gelbes Haus” bar in Nuremberg, nine local barkeepers went into battle against each other with their very own creations. Ultimately, the “Cheesecake Toy Margarita” by Markus Lehner and Selim Landeck, Enchilada Nuremberg, emerged as the winner. During the first week of February, the ToyCocktail will be served at special events at the Spielwarenmesse and at the nine participating bars in the city centre.

The judges have spoken

The jury is composed of Maren Meyer, Deputy Chairwoman of the Deutsche Barkeeper-Union Niedersachsen (German Barkeepers’ Union of Lower Saxony), Adriano Paulus, multi-award winning Bavarian mixologist, Bernd Schäfer of local bar association Barkommune Nürnberg and Berlind Bernemann, Manager Sales at Spielwarenmesse eG. They judged the cocktails based on the official competition criteria defined by the German Barkeepers’ Union, as Bernd Schäfer explains: “When awarding points, it’s not just the flavour that counts but also the appearance and the aroma.” The “Cheesecake Toy Margarita”, mixed by Selim Landeck, ticked all the boxes in each category. Second place was clinched by last year’s winner Sigrid Klein, Barkeeper at Gelbes Haus with “Cheerstoyou”. Mixed by Bujar Beqiraj, Bartender at Tinto – tapas y vino, the “Snow White Toy” came third.

A cocktail for Nuremberg

Markus Lehner, Managing Director of Enchilada and inventor of the recipe, concludes: “We’re really proud that the jury loved our creation and we’re looking forward to surprising all our guests during the Spielwarenmesse with our unconventional concoction of liquid New York Cheesecake combined with the light aroma of Tequila.” His cocktail will be served at all the participating bars during the Spielwarenmesse from 1 to 6 February:

Arvena Park Hotel, TREFF

California Bar & Restaurant

Die Bombe Nürnberg

die rote Bar

Enchilada

Gelbes Haus

Studio Wolny

TINTO – tapas y vino

ZEIT & RAUM

The ToyCocktail is just one of many ToyCity initiatives with which the trade-only Spielwarenmesse brings the “Spirit of Play” to the city centre. Exhibitors and visitors can also enjoy the ToyCocktail at special evening events at the fair.

]]>news-9359Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:02:00 +0100Legoland Beach Retreat to open at Florida resorthttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/legoland-beach-retreat-to-open-at-florida-resort/?L=1&cHash=707233e68af04213d4360b18145d6870
Legoland Beach Retreat will welcome its first guests on 7th April 2017

By toyworldmag.co.uk

Legoland Florida Resort announced the grand opening date yesterday during an exclusive media preview of the new accommodations. Designed with the same attention to detail and features that made Legoland Hotel a hit, Legoland Beach Retreat is a village-style vacation resort with 83 beach-themed bungalows offering 166 separate rooms, each with Lego décor inside and out.

The bungalows are grouped into 13 coves, named after popular Lego Minifigures. Each includes an outdoor play area, all within view of the bungalows’ shaded patios.

Located about a half-mile from the theme park entrance, the site also features a central swimming pool and sandy play area, a buffet restaurant, pool bar, a giant Lego inspired lighthouse with a real rotating beacon and views of Lake Dexter.

]]>news-9356Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:28:00 +0100Rogue One ticket pre-sales soarhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/rogue-one-ticket-pre-sales-soar/?L=1&cHash=d5ba4c7767ef26179e9f5c2608e93e2b
Spin-off movie records second-biggest first day of ticket pre-sales in US history

By www.toysnplaythings.co.uk

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is already off to a good start at the box office, with two weeks still to go until it lands in cinemas around the world.

Variety reports that Greg Foster, CEO of Imax Entertainment, revealed the movie had posted the second biggest first-day pre-sales numbers in the domestic US market, but didn’t divulge how many tickets had been sold. The performance puts it second only to one other film, last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

]]>news-9355Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:50:00 +0100Character posts 22% revenue growthhttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/character-posts-22-revenue-growth/?L=1&cHash=dc120425798115660b2667cc4394dff3
The toy group continues to record revenue and profit growth, with Peppa Pig, Teletubbies and Little Live Pets leading the way

By www.toysnplaythings.co.uk

Character Group has seen revenue grow 22 per cent in the year ended 31 August 2016, with underlying pre-tax profits hitting £12.5m, a significant increase from the £10.2m made during the same period in 2015.

Products the company marketed at a “value for money” price point contributed positively to the overall performance, which saw revenue reach £121m.

Peppa Pig remained the company’s best performing brand, though Little Live Pets and Teletubbies follow closely behind to give the company a trio of leading properties. Other Character favourites like Minecraft, Scooby Doo and Mashems also continued to show resilience and remained popular with consumers, while relaunched Stretch Armstrong outperformed expectations.

]]>news-9352Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:13:00 +0100“Super Wings“ ready for take off on KiKA in January 2017http://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/super-wings-ready-for-take-off-on-kika-in-january-2017/?L=1&cHash=7499246606330d3aa40123b2e387c009
The international hit-series “Super Wings“ will premiere on German kids channel KiKA on 25 January 2017. m4e already appointed licensees for Germany. The toy line will be distributed by Giochi Preziosi Germany.

The successful preschool animation series “Super Wings“ (52 x 11 minutes), targeted at children aged 4 to 7 years, will be premiering on Germany’s kids channel KiKA on 25 January 2017. The series will be aired daily from Monday to Sunday as a double feature during kids prime time at 6:15 pm. The global co-production is already successfully broadcasted in Europe e.g. in France, Spain, Italy and Sweden. The series is co-produced by South Korea’s FunnyFlux, EBS and CJ E&M, US-based Little Airplane Productions, China’s QianQi Animation and German kids channel KiKA.

Meanwhile the licensing program for Germany is taking shape. The European distribution of Alpha’s master toy line has already succesfully started in different markets, for instance in Italy where Giochi Preziosi distributes the line. There, “Super Wings” has already proven to be the fastest growing property in the preschool category. In the German-speaking territories the line will be distributed, marketed and promoted by Giochi Preziosi Germany - in strategic alliance with Stadlbauer Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH, who has the responsibility on sales. The toys will be presented at the upcoming International Toy Fair in Nuremberg and be available at retail from March 2017 – supported by a TV advertising campaign.

The brand management and media company m4e AG, responsible for the licensing & merchandising in the German-speaking territories, has already signed licensees for “Super Wings” including Clementoni for puzzles and games, Amijoc/Beluga for beach & outdoor toys, Procos for party goods and Famosa for plush.

Featuring a curriculum that supports cultural diversity and creative problem-solving, “Super Wings” follows the adventures of Jett, a self-assured jet plane that travels around the world delivering special packages to children. Since its debut on EBS in 2014, the series has been sold to more than 40 countries worldwide, including the US, where the IP’s toy line has launched in April 2016. The brand enjoys enormous success in China, France, Spain and Italy among others.

]]>news-9338Wed, 30 Nov 2016 13:09:00 +0100Research reveals tablets top TV with kidshttp://www.spielwarenmesse.de/toy-market-news/detail/research-reveals-tablets-top-tv-with-kids/?L=1&cHash=4592fb61d1a5e9a84209fbe3fd90cf96
DHX Media survey looks into shifting way kids consumer content and brands and how parents choose to buy for their kids

By www.toysnplaythings.co.uk

DHX Media has shared new insights into the way children aged 0-12 consume entertainment content and brands. Partnering with Canadian market intelligence leading public opinion researcher Ipsos, a survey of 2,700 parents across the UK, US and Canada asked them how their kids choose to interact with content.

The survey found that kids have embraced mobile on-demand viewing, and that tablets are their preferred screen for consuming content. In the households surveyed, 72 per cent of children’s daily viewing is from streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix and others. When viewing content, 61 per cent of kids use tablets, with 78 per cent of households having at least one tablet and 29 per cent having a tablet for use by a child only. Tablets were found to be the most popular screen used by children, who used the devices to watch 45 per cent of their streamed content.

In addition, the survey found that 40 per cent of kids use Smartphones were also popular, with 40 per cent of kids using a smaller touchscreen device to consume their content. Nearly all (90 per cent) of households with children under 13 have at least one smartphone, and 14 per cent have a smartphone that is used only by a child. Furthermore, nearly one-quarter of children are using smartphones to watch streamed content.

The survey also found that YouTube is the most popular streaming platform among respondents, followed closely by Netflix. Of the households surveyed, YouTube’s Advertising-supported Video on Demand (AVOD) service garnered 15 per cent of all streaming viewing, with Netflix coming in at 13 per cent. When YouTube’s premium Subscription-supported Video on Demand (SVOD) services are included, YouTube garners 24 per cent of all streaming viewing.

The survey also polled parents about their receptivity to a new concept called One Click Content to Retail, a new model that leverages video on an AVOD platform to serve ads to viewers which allow them to click through to purchase featured products. The results showed that 80 per cent of parents liked the idea of being able to click through from a video to buy products for their kids and that 49 per cent of parents said they would use it if available. Meanwhile, 81 per cent of parents liked the idea of a child being able to keep a wish list of products through One Click Content to Retail.

In addition, 85 per cent of parents research what to purchase online at least monthly, 78 per cent buy products online at least monthly, and nearly four out of every 10 purchases made specifically for a child are made online. Two thirds of parents are very likely buy products such as toys, games and clothing featuring a child’s favourite character. Parents surveyed were as comfortable with kids viewing streaming content as with traditional TV, and nine in 10 parents say YouTube child-appropriate advertising is acceptable.

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) has announced its honourees for the 2017 Changemaker Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Academy Award-winning actor and advocate Geena Davis will be handed the Changemaker Award and Jill Barad the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 WIT Wonder Women Awards Gala on 19 February, 2017 in New York City.

The Wonder Women Awards Gala theme will be WIT Changemakers: Playing it Forward, and will recognise and honour female executives who are creating positive change by giving back, passing on the lessons they’ve learned, and paving the way for future leaders.

Changemaker Award honouree, Geena Davis, co-founder and chair of the Bentonville Film Festival and founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, has been at the forefront of gender equality in film and entertainment and an impactful advocate to the toy industry on the importance of improving gender balance, reducing stereotyping and creating diverse female characters in kids’ entertainment.

The Lifetime Achievement honouree for 2017, Jill Barad, is a former Chairman and CEO of Mattel, who challenged and shattered the glass ceiling when she became one of the most prominent female chief executives in America. She was one of few women at the helm of a Fortune 500 company, while helping to build Barbie from a $320 million business to a $2 billion global brand.

The annual LEGO Christmas build has arrived in Covent Garden to bring some Christmas magic to the piazza once again - this time with an augmented reality twist.

Just a five minute walk from its newly opened Leicester Square flagship store, Santa and his elves have their LEGO tools at the ready and are busy making toys inside Santa’s Workshop, which is made with over 700,000 LEGO bricks. Santa is keeping a watchful eye over the elves and is busy filling the sack with LEGO Christmas presents.